HomeWinBuzzer TipsHow to Enable or Disable Font Smoothing in Windows 11

How to Enable or Disable Font Smoothing in Windows 11

We show you how to adjust font smoothing settings in Windows 11 to enhance text clarity and improve your visual experience.

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Font smoothing in Windows 11 enhances the readability of on-screen text by reducing jagged edges, making characters appear smoother and more polished. This feature is particularly beneficial on high-resolution displays, where crisp text rendering is essential for reducing eye strain during prolonged use.

By default, Windows 11 enables font smoothing to provide an optimal viewing experience. However, users may wish to disable this feature for various reasons, such as personal preference or to improve system performance on older hardware.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through multiple methods to enable or disable font smoothing in Windows 11. Each method caters to different user preferences and technical comfort levels, ensuring you can choose the approach that best suits your needs. Whether you prefer using the Visual Effects settings, the ClearType Text Tuner, or making adjustments through the Windows Registry, we’ve got you covered.

How to Adjust Font Smoothing with Visual Effects Performance Options

This method allows you to enable or disable font smoothing through the Visual Effects settings in Windows 11. It’s a straightforward approach suitable for most users.

  1. Open Performance Options
     
    Open Windows Search, type SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe and press Enter.
     
    01.1 Windows 11 - Open SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe

  2. Access Visual Effects Settings and Modify Font Smoothing Setting
     
    In the Performance Options window, navigate to the “Visual Effects” tab. To enable font smoothing, ensure the checkbox for “Smooth edges of screen fonts” is selected. To disable font smoothing, uncheck the “Smooth edges of screen fonts” option.
     
    01.2 Windows 11 - SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe - Visual Effects - Check Uncheck Smoth Edges of Screen Fonts

  3. Apply Changes

    Click “Apply”, then “OK” to confirm your settings.

  4. Restart Your Computer
     
    For the changes to take full effect, it is recommended to restart your computer.

How to Adjust Font Smoothing for Windows 11 via the Settings App

This method involves configuring font smoothing settings specific to Windows 11 using updated system menus and tools. It is a straightforward process that utilizes system settings designed for the latest operating system.

  1. Open the Settings app
     
    06.1 Windows 11 - Open Settings

  2. Navigate to Advanced System Settings
     
    In the Settings window, click “System” from the left-hand menu. Scroll down and select “About” at the bottom of the menu. Under “Related settings”, click “Advanced system settings”.
     
    Windows 11 - Settings - System - About - open Advanced System Settings

  3. Access Performance Options
     
    In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab. Under “Performance”, click “Settings”.

  4. Modify Font Smoothing Settings
     
    In the Performance Settings, ensure you are on the “Visual Effects” tab. To enable font smoothing, select “Adjust for best appearance” or ensure “Smooth edges of screen fonts” is checked. To disable font smoothing, select “Adjust for best performance” or uncheck “Smooth edges of screen fonts”.
     
    01.2 Windows 11 - SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe - Visual Effects - Check Uncheck Smoth Edges of Screen Fonts

  5. Apply and Save Changes
     
    Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your settings.

  6. Restart Your Computer
     
    Restart your device to ensure the changes are fully applied across the system.

How To Use the ClearType Text Tuner in Windows 11

The ClearType Text Tuner is designed to optimize text clarity specifically for LCD screens. This method is ideal for users who want precise control over how fonts appear on their display, focusing on making text easier to read without fully disabling font smoothing.

  1. Open the ClearType Text Tuner
     
    Open Windows Search or press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type “cttune.exe” and press Enter.

  2. Start the ClearType Text Configuration
     
    In the ClearType Text Tuner window, ensure the “Turn on ClearType” checkbox is selected. Click “Next” to proceed.

  3. Choose the Best Text Sample
     
    Follow the on-screen instructions to select the text sample that appears clearest to you. After making your selection for each step, click “Next”.

  4. Complete the Configuration
     
    Once you have completed all the steps, the ClearType Text Tuner will apply your settings. Click “Finish” to save the changes.

  5. Restart Your Computer (Optional)
     
    Although changes take effect immediately, restarting your computer ensures that the new settings are applied across all applications.

How to Adjust Font Smoothing Using a .REG File

This method is ideal for users who prefer a quick and automated way to enable or disable font smoothing. By using preconfigured .REG files, you can modify the necessary registry settings without manually navigating the Registry Editor.

  1. Download the .REG Files
     
    Download  the ZIP file Enable-Disable_Font_Smoothing_in_Windows11.zip from our server.

  2. Extract the ZIP File
     
    Right-click the downloaded ZIP file and select “Extract All”. Choose a destination folder and click “Extract” to access the .REG files.
     
    02.1 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder

  3. Browse to your desired extraction location and click “Extract”
     
    Choose where you want to extract the files and click “Extract“. This prepares the files for use.
     
    02.2 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder - Browse - Extract

  4. Double-click on a .REG file
     
    Navigate to the extracted files and double-click the required file to to apply its changes to the Windows Registry.
     
    To enable font smoothing, double-click “Enable_Font_Smoothing_for_Current_User.reg”.
     
    To disable font smoothing, double-click “Disable_Font_Smoothing_for_Current_User.reg”.

  5. Click “Run” on the security warning
     
    If prompted with a security warning, click “Run” to proceed with the changes.

  6. Press “Yes” to the Registry Editor pop-up
     
    Confirm the action in the Registry Editor pop-up by clicking “Yes“. This will apply the registry changes needed to restore the classic File Explorer.
     
    02.3 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder - Browse - Extract - Continue

  7. Press “OK” to the success dialog
     
    After confirming, a success dialog will appear. Restart your PC or log out. This will apply the registry changes needed to adjust the font smoothing settings.
     
    02.4 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder - Browse - Extract - Continue - Accept

How to Adjust Font Smoothing Using the Windows Registry Editor

This method allows you to enable or disable font smoothing by directly modifying the Windows Registry. It’s a more advanced approach, ideal for users comfortable with system configurations. This method provides flexibility and precision for customizing font smoothing settings but should be used cautiously to avoid unintended changes.

  1. Open the Windows Registry Editor
     
    Open Windows Search or press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes” to grant permissions.

  2. Navigate to the Font Smoothing Key
     
    In the Registry Editor, go to the following path:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  3. Modify the Font Smoothing Value
     
    Locate the entry named “FontSmoothing” in the right-hand pane. Double-click the “FontSmoothing” entry to edit its value.
  4. Set the Desired Value
     
    To enable font smoothing, set the value data to “2”. To disable font smoothing, set the value data to “0”. Click “OK” to save the changes.

  5. Restart Your Computer
     
    To apply the changes, restart your computer.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Font Smoothing in Windows 11

1. Why is my font not smooth?

Your font may appear jagged or pixelated if font smoothing or ClearType is disabled. Additionally, using a non-native resolution or outdated graphics drivers can cause this issue. To resolve it, enable font smoothing via the Visual Effects settings or ClearType using the Text Tuner. Ensure your monitor is set to its native resolution and that your graphics drivers are updated.

2. How do I reset ClearType in Windows 11?

To reset ClearType, open the ClearType Text Tuner by typing “cttune.exe” in the Run dialog or Windows Search. Uncheck “Turn on ClearType” to disable it, then re-enable it and follow the step-by-step configuration process to choose the clearest text samples. Restart your computer if changes do not immediately apply. This resets ClearType to its default settings, allowing you to re-optimize text clarity.

3. How do I fix jagged fonts in web browsers on Windows 11?

Jagged fonts in web browsers may occur even when system-level font smoothing and ClearType are enabled. To fix this, verify browser-specific settings, such as hardware acceleration or font rendering options. For example, in Chrome, you can enable hardware acceleration by navigating to Settings > System > Use hardware acceleration when available.” Ensure that Windows font smoothing and ClearType are also correctly configured for overall text clarity.

4. How do I restore default font settings in Windows 11?

To restore default font settings, go to Settings > Personalization > Fonts” and select “Restore default font settings”. This will reset any font-related changes made by third-party apps or user customizations to the Windows defaults. For a complete reset, you may also need to check for corrupted font files and repair them using system tools such as DISM or sfc /scannow.

5. How to fix blurry fonts on Windows 11?

Blurry fonts can be resolved by enabling ClearType and font smoothing and ensuring the display resolution matches the native resolution of your monitor. Go to “Settings > Display” and check the “Scale and Layout” section for appropriate scaling percentages (usually 100% or 125%). Additionally, update your graphics drivers and disable DPI scaling overrides for individual applications if the issue persists.

6. How do I disable ClearType?

To disable ClearType, open the ClearType Text Tuner by typing “cttune.exe” in the Run dialog or Windows Search. Uncheck “Turn on ClearType” and click “Next” to confirm the settings. Disabling ClearType may result in jagged or less readable text, especially on LCD screens, so only do this if you prefer unsmoothed fonts for specific use cases.

7. How do I know if ClearType is enabled in Windows 11?

To check if ClearType is enabled, open the ClearType Text Tuner by typing “cttune.exe” in the Run dialog or Windows Search. If the “Turn on ClearType” checkbox is selected, ClearType is enabled. You can also re-run the configuration process from the Tuner to ensure text clarity is optimized.

8. Why does my font look pixelated in Windows 11?

Pixelated fonts can result from font smoothing or ClearType being disabled, or if your monitor is set to a non-native resolution. To fix this, enable font smoothing in Visual Effects settings and configure ClearType using the Text Tuner. Additionally, verify your display settings in the Settings app to ensure the resolution is set to the recommended (native) value for your monitor.

9. How do I fix jagged text in Windows 11?

Jagged text can be fixed by enabling ClearType and configuring it using the Text Tuner. Open the tuner by typing “cttune.exe” in Windows Search, follow the steps to select the clearest text samples, and apply the settings. If issues persist, check for font smoothing in the Visual Effects settings and ensure your display resolution matches the monitor’s native resolution.

10. How do I make Windows 11 text easier to read?

To improve text readability in Windows 11, enable ClearType using the Text Tuner and ensure that font smoothing is active in Visual Effects settings. Adjust the display resolution to the monitor’s native resolution and set the scaling percentage in “Settings > Display” for comfortable viewing. For further enhancements, consider using high-contrast themes or customizing font sizes in the Accessibility options.

Related: How to Install Fonts in Windows 11 or Windows 10

Windows comes with a variety of pre-installed fonts, but you can also add more fonts to customize your experience. Many apps install additional fonts in Windows which then are also available to other programs. In our other guide, we show you how to install fonts in Windows 11 / Windows 10 to use them in applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and where you can download fonts for free.
 
https://winbuzzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Featured-How-to-install-fonts-in-Windows-11-and-Windows-10-696x395.jpg.webp

Related: How to Change the System Font in Windows 11 or Windows 10

The Windows default font these days is Segoe UI, a fairly simple and no-nonsense typeface that’s used across many of Microsoft’s products. However, though some like this subdued style, others look to change Windows font to something with a bit more personality. In our other guide, we show you how to change system font in Windows, or restore it again if you don’t like the changes.
 
https://winbuzzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Featured-Change-Default-System-Font-in-Windows-11.jpg

Related: How to Calibrate Your Monitor in Windows 11 or Windows 10 to Fix Washed out Colors

Out of the factory, monitors and laptop screens can present washed out colors, a shift in RGB tones, and various other issues. Other times, the ambient lighting of the room can affect the visuals of your display and make it hard to see. In our other guide, we show you how to calibrate your monitor in Windows 11 or Windows 10 via the in-built color calibration tool.
 
Windows 10 How to calibrate your display

Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.
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